Kick-off for the "2004: Year of Wisconsin Forestry"

January 22 news conference at noon in the Capitol Rotunda

Paul DeLong - Welcome and opening remarks

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the kick-off of the "2004: Year of Wisconsin Forestry." When you look at Wisconsin's 16-million acre forest resource today, it's hard to believe that 100 years ago the Northwoods resembled a vast wasteland of stumps. Today, forests once again cover nearly half of Wisconsin's land area. It is the story of this remarkable recovery that we celebrate in this "2004: Year of Wisconsin Forestry" - as well as the importance of the forests today and into the next 100 years of professional forestry in Wisconsin.

During this year of celebrating the rich forest resource in Wisconsin today, we salute the early conservationists who recognized that the logging practices then were not sustainable and that the forest needed to be managed as a renewable resource rather than an obstacle to be overcome. We salute the elected leaders who had the foresight in the early 1900s to establish a framework that encouraged re-establishment of the forest and still stands today to support our current sustainable forestry practices. And we salute the professional foresters, landowners and industrial leaders who were committed to implementing a new way of doing business.

Over the past 100 years, the practice of forestry has evolved along with our knowledge of the resource and attitudes of the public towards the forest. Thanks to the vision and hard work over the past century, today we have a forest resource that is sustainably managed and critical to the well-being of Wisconsin in myriad ways. Here to share a few words about the importance of forests to Wisconsin are three State Agencies.

DNR Deputy Secretary Bill Smith - Ecological importance of Wisconsin forests

In 2003 we observed the "Year of Water", recognizing that water is essential to life and is an important part of what makes Wisconsin unique. It is only appropriate that we follow with a year recognizing the importance of forests to Wisconsin as forests and water have been closely linked throughout the state's history.
One of the primary reasons for establishing "forest reserves" in the early 1900s was to protect the headwaters of Wisconsin rivers in the northern counties. Early reports also promote the forest reserves to "influence surface runoff."
Watershed protection continues to be one of the most important ecological contributions of the forest today as it functions like a giant filtering system. Wisconsin's forests determine the quality and quantity of the water released to nearby lakes, streams and drinking water supplies.
Today's forest management practices minimize soil disturbances and prevent debris from washing into water bodies. A set of voluntary guidelines, called "Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality" - developed in the early 1990s by a coalition of government, environmental and industry groups - help ensure that our forestry practices today do not negatively impact Wisconsin's water quality. That's a win-win situation for both of Wisconsin's most important natural resources - forests and water!
Wisconsin is home to a rich array of wildlife that depend on our forests, including popular species for hunting and wildlife watching, as well as many of the state's endangered and threatened species.
Through careful planning and sustainable management, we can keep the biological diversity supported by our forests, now and for future generations.

Sarah Klavas, Director of Marketing, Dept of Tourism - Social importance of Wisconsin forests

Just as forests and water have been closely linked throughout Wisconsin's history, so too have forests and tourism!
The 1909 State Forester's annual report states, "Our northern lake region, when it is included in a big forest reserve and protected, will bring tourists, campers, fishermen, and hunters from all over the country and they will annually spend millions of dollars in the state, and largely in the northern portions where it is most needed." E.M. Griffith, Wisconsin's first State Forester who wrote these words, was right.
Today, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest alone draws over 2 million visitors annually. And the continued population growth in the Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul metro areas will further contribute to the recreational demands placed on Wisconsin's forest lands.
A 1955 report on Wisconsin State Forests recommended that "the rapidly increasing public use of state lands for a wide variety of recreational purposes be fully recognized in all development plans." Nearly 50 years later, the use of Wisconsin's forests for recreation continues to grow and diversify. From silent to motorized recreational activities, Wisconsin residents love being out in the forests.
The State of Wisconsin manages about 1.3 million acres available to the public for outdoor recreation. County, local and federal governments also manage 5.5 million acres of land available for public outdoor recreation. And privately-owned forest land is also a very important source of recreation opportunities - particularly for hunters.
A more recent research study conducted by DNR and UW-Madison found that forests provide the basis for much of the economic activity that takes place in rural Wisconsin - particularly in the northern and central parts of the state where tourism and forestry provide mainstays to local economies. According to the report, forest-based recreationists annually spent approximately $2.5 billion locally within Wisconsin communities.
From winter cross-country skiing to spring bird watching to summer hiking to fall coloramas - Wisconsin's forests are a four-season playground enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. And forestry and tourism interests will continue to cooperatively provide the economic support for many Wisconsin communities.

David Storey, Deputy Secretary, Dept of Commerce - Economic importance of Wisconsin forests

Throughout Wisconsin's history, forests have also been closely linked to the economic health of the state. In the late 1800s, Wisconsin led the world in lumber production. Today, Wisconsin leads the nation in the production of high-quality juvenile furniture and millwork.
Papermaking also has a rich and important history dating back 150 years in Wisconsin. The first paper made in Wisconsin was produced in Milwaukee and was used to publish the Milwaukee Sentinel & Gazette on March 7, 1848. The paper was made from rags at a mill located at the junction of the Milwaukee and Menomonee Rivers. In 1872, a significant event helped shape what has become Wisconsin's paper industry. The Keller groundwood process was introduced to the Fox River Valley, enabling papermaking from wood pulp. Wisconsin has been the number-one papermaking state in the nation for the past fifty years and converting operations transform Wisconsin paper rolls into the widest variety of paper products made in any state. Wisconsin also has a vigorous printing industry thanks in large part to the convenient access to quality Wisconsin-made paper.
Today the wood products industry is Wisconsin's second largest manufacturing employer. Over 1,800 forest products companies in Wisconsin employ nearly 100,000 residents. In 28 Wisconsin counties, the paper and forest products industry is the largest employer and in 14 more counties it is among the top three employers.
Wisconsin's forest products industries produce over $20 billion annually in products from the forests - more than 2.5 times as much as either of our neighboring states of Michigan and Minnesota. And still there is room for expansion since the annual harvest is less than seventy percent of the net annual forest growth, thanks to today's sustainable forest management.

Governor's Council on Forestry Chairman Fred Souba Presentation of the proclamation on behalf of the Governor

Paul DeLong Introduce groups participating in the "Year of Wisconsin Forestry"

As the Governor noted in his proclamation, many organizations have formed over the past 100 years to support the re-establishment and stewardship of Wisconsin's forest resource. The following folks are available for interviews and I know you'll enjoy visiting with them and learning about the rich history of their groups.
A number of my colleagues from the Division of Forestry are here today, and we would be happy to provide you with more information about any aspect of our state forestry program - ranging from the mainstays of our program since 1904, such as fire suppression and prevention, our state forests, state nurseries, and assistance to private landowners - as well as newer programs such as urban forestry.
Several other organizations represented here today are nearly as old as the state forestry program.
Jeryl Perenich is here today representing the USDA Forest Service, which will be celebrating its centennial next year, and has been an important forestry partner in that century of service.
Wisconsin Nursery Association members have provided an important share of the tree seedlings for reforesting Wisconsin over the last nearly 90 years. They are represented here by Vice President Jim Garbe (Garbee).
The Wisconsin Society of American Foresters, the primary professional organization for foresters in the state, celebrates its 85th anniversary this year, and Ray Guries, chair of the Southwest Wisconsin chapter and chair of the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at UW-Madison, is here today representing SAF.
Since its start in 1928, the Wisconsin School Forest Program has grown to over 400 forests in 67 counties, and Jeremy Solin, Director of the Program, which is now administered out of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at UW-Stevens Point, is here today.
The establishment of the first County Forest in Langlade County happened 75 years ago and was the beginning of an important system of county forests around the state. Representing the Wisconsin County Forest Association today is the association's Executive Secretary, Colette Matthews.
Trees for Tomorrow, founded in 1944, has been focused on reforestation and forestry education for 60 years; Trees for Tomorrow is represented today by Director Gail Gilson-Pierce.
The Tree Farm Program, a popular national landowner organization, is also celebrating its 60th anniversary in Wisconsin, and is represented here today by Geary Searfoss, Executive Director of the Forest Productivity Council, which administers the Tree Farm in Wisconsin.
Also celebrating a 60th birthday this year is Smokey Bear, one of America's most recognized icons and a long-time symbol for fire prevention. We're lucky to have Smokey with us today; unfortunately, because Smokey does not talk, he will be unable to chat with you today.
The Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association, which represents the families who have made Wisconsin a leading producer of Christmas trees, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and is represented today by Board member Myra Hann.
The Wisconsin Arborist Association, represented here today by Communications Chair David Graham, was founded in 1964 to improve the knowledge and quality of the profession of arboriculture in the state.
Celebrating 25 years this year, the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association reaches out to the 262,000 private woodland owners in Wisconsin, who own 60% of this state's forests, to encourage the wise use of Wisconsin's woodlands for wildlife habitat, recreation and timber production. WWOA is represented today by Board President Al Barden.
All of these organizations are working together to coordinate events and programs that will celebrate forestry during 2004. We greatly appreciate the extra effort that has been shown by all these groups, as well as the camaraderie and cooperation that has developed as we've planned together for the Year of Wisconsin Forestry.
I'd like to acknowledge the assistance of Wisconsin's UW-Extension Basin Educators, and Bill Klase in particular, for assistance in preparing for this special year of activities.
Thanks are also due to several corporate sponsors. Stora Enso North America is donating paper stock for the printing of the poster you see displayed here.
And Wisconsin's cable companies have donated statewide air time from February through July in recognition of the "Year of Wisconsin Forestry." On behalf of the Wisconsin forestry community, I extend a sincere thank-you to Charter Communictations and to Time Warner Cable for